Adjustment means for control devices



June 18, 1946. A. B. NEWTON 2,402,435 ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR CONTROL DEVICES Filed July 27, 1944 7 ISrwentor attorney Patented June v18, 1946 ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR CONTROL DEVICES Alwin B. Newton, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of De la ware Application July 277, 1944, Serial No. 546,886

1 This invention relates to an adjustment means or accessory for a control mechanism of an ap- Claims. (01. 74-522) the adjustment means having a definite range paratus wherein the operating range of the apparatus-can be readily adjusted.

The device appertains to an adjustment means for a control device of a mechanism whereby the upper and lower operating values of the mechanism can be simultaneous y adjusted to meet the requirements desired.

The device comprehends an adjustment accessory for a refrigeration control such as illustratedin the application of Carl G. Kronmiller, Serial No. 371,001, filed December 20, 1940, now Patent 2,377,503, issued June 5, 1945, or other similar control mechanisms.

The adjustment means more particularly embodies a demountable means for the two manual control means of a control mechanism which are interconnected whereby both of the manual control meansmay be simultaneously moved.

The invention comprises an adjustable means for the .two manual control means of a refrigeration control device whereby both of the assoof operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an adjustable means for the simultaneous operation of two independent manual control means of a refrigeration control device wherein the range of adjustment of one of the manual control means is greater than the range of adjustment of the other of the manual control means.

It is another object of the inventionto provide an adjustment means for the simultaneous operation of two independent manual control means of a refrigeration control device which can be easily attached in operable relationship with said manual control means.

, I It is another object of the invention to provide means for housing the adjustment means when it 'is in operative position on the manual control means of the control mechanism and the housing having means for limiting the movement of an operating means of the adjustment means whereby the range of operation of the adjustment means and the manual control means are regulated.

ciated stops may be variably and simultaneously K adjusted so that the range of operationof a refrigeration system may be regulated to meet the conditions required by the refrigeration system.

Heretofore, the adjustments of the two manual control means for a refrigeration control mechanism have been made independently, but the present accessory or adjustment device is easily attached to the two manual control means,

and the two manual control means can then be simultaneously moved so that the range of operation of the refrigeration system is quickly and accurately controlled. The adjustment means is adjustable so that the two manual control means may be either equally moved or unequally moved, depending on. the setting of the adjustment means.

It is an object of the invention to provide an adjustment means for two independent manual control means of a control device whereby both of the manual control means may be simultaneously moved by a single operation of the adjustment means.

It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable means for two independent manual control means of a control device for a refrigeration system whereby the manual control means can be simultaneously moved in varying ratios in respect to each other so that the range of operation of the refrigeration 'system can be varied as desired.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an adjustment means for the simultaneous operation of two independent manual control meansof a refrigeration control device, and

Other'and further objects will become apparent from the detailed description of thedevice and the appended claims.

V Figure 1 is a front elevational view partly in section of a refrigeration control mechanism, cover removed, with the dial linkage means operably mounted on the cut-in and cut-out dials thereof.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the left side of the control mechanism of Figure l, with a vertical sectional view through the housing for the dial linkage means, disclosing the dial linkage means in operable position on the cut-in and cut-out dials of the control mechanism.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the dial linkage means, disclosing the arrangement of the adjustable means of the said dial linkage means.

.Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the inside of a side of the casing for the control mechanism disclosing the floating lever of the control device in operable engagement with the cut-in stop.

In Figure 1, l0 illustrates a casing'with its cover removed and a snap switch I2 is shown mounted on a plate member H which is secured by appropriate means to, the casing l0. Two tubular members IB extendfrom the base of the casing to the plate member H and crews l8 extend through apertures in the easing into the tubular members l6 and are secured to the plate M for supporting the plate I in position.

The snap switch I! has a reciprocating operating stem 20 extending. through an aperture in plate l4. An end of a floating lever 22 extends into an aperture in the reciprocating stem 20.

VA housing 28 encloses an expansible and contrectable bellows, the interior of which is connected by a pipe 28 to the suction line of a compressor (not shown). The upper end of the bellows in the housing 28 is connected to an operating stem 30 which extends through a nut 32. The upper end of the stem 33 carries a ball member 34 which is disposed loosely within an aperture in the floating lever 22. A resilient leaf member 24 is attached by rivet means to the upper side of lever 22, and the leaf engages the ball member 34. A imilar resilient leaf member 26 is attached by rivets or other appropriate mean to the lower side of the floating lever 22, and this leaf member 26 is provided with an opening through which the operating stem 30 extends. This leaf member also engages the ball member 34. The ball member 34 and the leaf members 24 and 26 form a strain release connection between the operating stem 30 and the floating lever 22.

The snap switch I2 is of a type wherein movement of the reciprocating stem 26 in an upward direction closes the switch, and movement of the stem 23 in a downward direction opens the switch. After the switch is operated to open or closed position, it tends to remain in that position. The left end of the floating lever 22 is spaced between two adjustment cams 36 and 31. The cams 36 and 31 have spiral contours.

Cam 36 is mounted on a shaft which is journalled in a side wall of the casing I and may be rotated by a manual knob 38 exteriorly of the casing I0. Adjacent to the manual knob 38 and mounted on its shaft is a dial 40 which is graduated in pounds. The cam 31 is mounted on a similar shaft journaled in the side wall of the casing I0 and rotatable by a manual knob 42 exteriorly of the casing I0. Adjacent to the knob 42 and mounted on its shaft is a dial 44 which is graduated in pounds. The cams 36 and 31 form stops between which the left end of the floating lever 22 is movable. i

When the bellow within the housing 28 ex- Dands in response to rising suction pressure of a refrigeration system (not shown) which is communicated to the bellows'by conduit 29, the operating stem 33 moves upwardly carrying the floating lever 22 with it until the left end of the floating lever 22 engages cam 36. After the left end of the lever 22 engages the cam 36 further expansion of the bellows within the housing 28 cause the lever 22 to pivot about the cam 36, that is, rotating the lever 22 in a counterclockwise direction so that the right end of the lever 22 moves the reciprocating stem 20 upwardly so as to close-the snap switch I2. The closure of the snap switch I2 completes a circuit for a com- Dresser motor (not shown).

It. the suction pressure should fall after the compressor motor is started, the bellows within the housing 28 will contract; therefore retracting the operating stem 30 downwardly causing the left end of the lever 22 to be moved downwardly until at a predetermined suction pressure it engages the cam 31. ,Further contraction of the bellows within the housing 28 will pivot the lever 22 about the cam'3l as a pivot and movethe floating lever in a clockwise direction so that its right end move the reciprocating stem 20 of the snap switch I2 downwardly so as to open the switch.

The selective adjustment of the cams 36 and 31 and their associated knobs 38 and 42 will vary the operational differential of the snap switch I2 in response to suction pressure. The stop or cam 36 is designated the cut-in stop member as it limits the upward movement of the lever 22 resulting from rising suction pressure and thereby actuates the floating lever 22 to move the reciprocating stem upwardly to actuate the snap switch I2 to closed position. cam 36 determine the upper limit of the suction pressure or temperature which is desired. If the cam 36 as shown in Figure 4 is rotated in a direction which tends to move the lever 22 downwardly, it is apparent that the pressure at which the switch is closed would be lower, because the pressure will not have. to rise to as high a value for the lever 22 to engage the cam 36 and to begin rotating in a counterclockwise direction. If the cam 36 as shown in Figure 4 is rotated in' the opposite direction obviously the suction pressure at which the switch I2 is closed will be raised. Therefore the upper limit of the suction pressure can be easily raised or lowered. Likewise whencam 31 is rotated in a direction so as to decrease the space between cams 31 and 36, the pressure at which the switch I2 is opened will be raised because obviously the pressure will not have to decrease to as low a value for the lever 22 to engage the cam 31 and to begin rotating in a clockwise direction. Ob-

' viously, therefore, the differential and range of operation of the switch I2 can be adjusted by varying the positions of the earn 36 and 31 by their respective manual knobs 3B and 42. It is apparent that the pressure at which the switch I2 is closed and the pressure at which it is opened can be independently adjusted.

It is the specific intention of this invention to provide a dial linkage accessory which is designated by the numeral 46 and which is adapted to be mounted on the cut-in and cut-out knobs 38 and 42 respectively whereby simultaneous adjustments of the cut-in and cut-out dials of the control device may be obtained. The dial linkage means 46 consists of a lever assembly 48 for the cut-in knob 38. The lever assembly comprises an adjustable collar 50 which has a pair of apertured flanges 52 and 54 for mounting a bolt and nut means 5|. The adjustable collar 50 also consists of an integral handle 56 which is provided with a longitudinal slot 58. The adjustable collar 50 is adapted to be mounted on the cut-in knob and it is securely fastened thereto by manipulating the'bolt and nut means 5|. A crank assembly 60 which is associated with the cut-out knob 42 comprises an adjustable collar 62 having a pair of apertured flange 63 and 64 for mounting a bolt and nut means 65. The adjustable collar 62 has an integral lever means 66. The crank assembly 60 is adapted to s be mounted on the cut-out knob 42 and is securely fastened thereto by the proper adjustment of the bolt and nut means 65. A link 68 is pivotally connected by a. pin means ID to the lever 66 of the crank assembly 60. A bearing member II is spaced between the link 68 and the lever 66. The link 68 is fastened to the handle 56 of the lever assembly 48 by a bolt means 12 extending through the link and secured in the slot 58 of the handle 56. The link is held in its adjusted positions in the slot 58 by meansoif the .bolt 12 cooperating with a lock washer 13, which washer is locked against thelower side of the handle 56 by tightening up on the bolt means 12. A bearing member 14 i spaced between the lower side of the link 66 and the upper surface of the handle 56. The link 68 can be adjusted in different positions in the slot 56 by turning the screw I2 to loosen the lock washer l3 and sliding the end of the link along the slot 58, and when the desired position has been selected, the bolt 12 is turned so as to secure the lock washer I3 against thehandle 58 to again lock the link 88 to the handle 55.

In Figure 2 of the drawing the link 88 of the crank assembly 88 is shown positioned at a point in the slot 58 of the handle 58 of the lever assembly 48 so that the link 88 is substantially parallel with a line passing through the centers of the knobs 38 and 42. cut-outdial 44 may be adjusted to any position desired before the dial linkage 48 is mounted on the cutin and cut-out knobs 38 and 42. Marks 15 and 11 on the casing [8 are means for determining the respective adjustment of the cut-in dial 48 and the cut-out dial 44. Whatever gradnation on the cut-in dial 48 is aligned with mark i5, will be the setting of the cut-in dial in pounds. Likewise, the graduation of dial 44 which is aligned with markings I! will be the adjustment of this dial in pounds. In Figure 2, the cut-in dial 48 is shown set at approximately 25 pounds The cut-in dial 48 and position as shown in Figure 2, the range of a refrigeration system will be changed from one range to that of another range, and the change of the cut-in pressure is greater than the change in the cut-out pressure, and therefore the movement of the cut-in dial 48 has been greater than the movement of the cut-out dial 44.

If it is desired to use the control to maintain a storage temperature of 35 F., suitable compressor operation may require 35 pounds cut-in pressure and 17 pounds cut-out pressure, or an operating differential of 18 pounds. In order to maintain a storage temperature of 10 F., suitable control pressures may be 1'7 pounds cut in pressure and 3 pounds cut-out pressure, or an operating differential of 14 pounds. With the link 88 properly positioned in the slot 58 these desired control pressures may be established by a simple while the cut-out dial is shown as set at approximately 13 pounds. That is, the cut-in dial 48 is adjusted so as to operate the switch 12 through the medium of the stop 38 and floating lever 22 to close the switch l2 at 25 pounds suction pressure. The cut-out dial 44 is set, as shown in Figure 2, so that its stop 31 actuates the floating lever 22 wliereby to move the reciprocating stem 28 of the snap switch I2 for actuating the snap switch to open position when the pressure falls to 13 pounds.

- When the link 88 is adjusted to a position in the slot 58 of the handle 88 of lever assembly 48 for the cut-in dial 48 so that the link 88 is parallel with a line passing through the centers of the kobs 38 and 42, as is substantially shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, the cut-in and cutout dials 48 and 44 are moved equally by the dial linkage 48 when the dial linkage 48 is operated by thehandle means 58. If the link 88 should be adjusted to approximately the mid-position of the slot 58 between its position as shown in Figure 2 and the left end of the slot, the operation or movement of the handle 58 moves the cut-out dial 48 through means of the dial linkage 48 approximately 85% of the movement of the cut-in dial 88. On the other hand, when the link .88 is adjusted to the extreme left of the slot of the handle 58,, the cut-out dial .44 has a movemerit of approximately 67% of the movement of the out-in dial 48. Other ratios of movement of the cut-in dial in relation to the cut-out dial may be obtained by adjusting the link 88 in other position in the slot 58 of the handle 58 between the position of link 88 as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing and the left end of the slot. The different ratios of movement of the cut-in dial in relation to the cut-out dial is accomplished through the different leverage lengths which are obtained between the center of the dial knob and the different adjusted positions of the linkin slot 58 of the handle 58. The cut-1n as a greater movement than the cut-out when the link 88 is adjusted in all posioi the slot 58 to the left of the position 1e itink88 as shown in Figure 2 of the draw- When the link 88 is adjusted in any position in the slot 58 to the left of the position where the link 88 is parallel with a line extending through the centers of the knobs 38 and 42, and the link 88 is thenmoved and secured in any other position in the slot 58 to the left of the adjustment of the handle 58.

In the example set forth above the lever assembly 48 is secured on the cut-in knob 38, and the crank assembly is secured on the cut-out knob 42. Then the link 88 of the crank assembly 88 is secured inthe slot 58 of handle 58 of the lever assembly 48 so that the link 88 is parallel with a. line extending through the centers of the knobs 38 and 42. 48 is actuated, both the cut-in and cut-out dials 48 and 44, respectively, have equal movements, and the range of movement of both dials is 20 pounds. The dial linkage means 48 as shown mounted on the knobs of the control mechanism in Figure 2 will operate to impart the same range of movement to the dials 48 and 44.

The lever 88 is now loosened and shifted to the left in the slot 58 and secured in such posi tion in the slot. Then the dial linkage means 48 is operated through means of the handle 58, and the cut-in dial 48 will till havea range of movement of 20 pounds, but the cut-out dial 44 may have a range of movement of 16 pounds. The link 88-is adjusted further to the left in the slot 58 until the cut-out dial 44 will have a range of movement of .14 pounds while the range of movement of the cut-in dial remains at 20 pounds.

The bolt and nut means 5i and of the lever and crank assemblies 48 and 88, respectively, are loosened so that the assemblies are loosely mounted on the knobs 38 and 42 respectively. The dial linkage 48 is then moved upwardly until the handle 58 engages the upper end of the slot 18 in the housing 18. The cut-in dial 48 is now moved until the graduation of 35 pounds is'aligned with the mark 15 on the casing l8; and the cut-out dial 44 is moved so that the graduation of 1'] pounds registers with the mark 17 on the casing l8. Thebolt and nut means 5| and 85 are again adjusted 'until the lever and crank assemblies 48 and 88 are securely fastened to the knobs 38 and 42 respectively. If the handle 58 of the crank assembly 48 is now moved until it engages the lower end of the slot 19 in the housing 18, the cut-in dial 48 which has a range of movement of 20 pounds, is adjusted from the setting of 35 pounds cut-in pressure to a setting of 15 and the cut-out dial 44 is shown set at approxi- Then when the dial linkage mately 13 pounds, the box temperature would be set for 25 degrees Fahrenheit operation.

It is possible and may be desired to reverse the mounting of the lever assembly 46 and crank assembly 60 on the cut-in and cut-out knobs 38 and 42, respectively. That is, the lever assembly 46 is mounted on the cut-out knob 42 and the crank assembly 60 is mounted on the cutin knob 30. Then in this case, the operation of the dials, will be reversed. That is, the cut-out dial 44 has a greater movement relative to the movement of the cut-in dial 40, when the link 68 is positioned in any position in the slot 58 of the handle 56 between the position in the slot where the link 66 is parallel with a line extending through the centers of the knobs 3B and 42, and the end of the slot adjacent the collar portion 50.

When the link 68 is shifted in the slot 58 of handle 56 to any position to the right thereof as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing and the link 66 being secured in such position in the slot, the cut-out dial 44 would have a greater movement than the cut-in dial 40, when the dials 40 and 44 are moved simultaneously by the dial linkage 46. The relative movements of the dials 40 and 44 would be the same as if the lever assembly 48 and crank assembly 60, had been reversed in position on the knobs 38 and '42.

A housing member 16 is provided for the dial linkage means 46 and is adapted to protect the accessory when it is in position on the cut-in and cut-out dials and is secured to a side of the casing I by screw means 18, The housing 16 is provided with a slot I9 through which the operating handle 56 of the lever assembly 48 extends, and this slot means not only permits clockwise and counter-clockwise movements of the dial normally independently. adjustable members.

As various changes and modifications of this invention may occur to those who are skilled in 8 of said condition at which said device is moved to said second osition, and means connecting said elements to ether for simultaneous movement whereby both elements may be adjusted by a single operation, said last mentioned means in- Cllldlng an adjustable member for varying the amount one of said elements is adjusted in respect to the other element.

3. In a. condition responsive mechanism, a device to be moved from a first position to a second position, condition responsive means for so moving said device, a first adjusting element for determining the value of said condition at; which said device is moved to said first position, a second adjusting element for determining the value of said condition at which said device is moved to said second position, said elements comprising a pair of rotatable members having parallel axes, and means removably connected to said rotatable elements for connecting said elements together for simultaneous movement.

4. In a condition responsive mechanism, a device to be moved from a first position to asecond position, condition responsive means for so moving said device, a first adjusting element for determining the value of said condition at which said device is moved to said first position, a second adjusting element for determining the value of said condition at which saiddevice is moved to said second position, said elements comprising a pair of rotatable members having parallel axes, and means removably connected to said elements for connecting said elements together for simultaneous movement, the removably connected means consisting of'flrst and second portions, the first portion having a handle with a slot connected to the first adjusting element, the second portion comprising a link connected to the sec ond adjusting element, the link adjustable to difierent positions in the slot of the handle of the first portion of the removably connected means for varying the amount one of said elements is adjusted in respect to the other element.

5. In a condition responsive mechanism, a control device to be moved from a first position to a second position, a condition responsive means i or so moving the device, a first adjusting element for the art, I wish it to be understood that I intend to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and not by the specific embodiment disclosed herein.

I claim as new: 6

1. In a condition responsive mechanism, a device to be moved from a first position to a second position, condition responsive means for so moving said device, a first adjusting element for de- -termining the value of said condition at which said device is moved to said first position, a sec ond adjusting element for determining the value of said condition at which said device is moved to said second position, and means connecting said elements togetherior simultaneous movement whereby 'both may be adjusted by a single operation.

2. In a condition responsive mechanism, a device to-be moved from a first position to a second position,- condition responsive means for so moving said device, a first adjusting element for determining the value of said condition at which said device is moved to said first position, a second adjusting element for determining the value determining the value of said condition at which said device'is moved to said first position, a second adjusting element for determining the value of said condition at which said device is moved to said second position, a removably adjustable interconnected means operably associated with said elements for simultaneous movement of the said elements by a single operation, the interconnected means consisting of two portions, one portion of the interconnected means comprising a handle having a slot associated with one of the elements, the other portion of the interconnected means comprising a lever having a pivoted link associated with the other element, the link adjustable to different positions in the slot of the handle of the one portion of the interconnected means for varying the amount one of said elements is adjusted in respect to the other element, and a means for housing the interconnected means when operably associated with the pair 01 adjusting elements, the housing having a slot for limiting movement of the handle of the interconnected means.

. ALWIN B. NEWTON, 

